How to Get an ADHD Diagnosis in the UK
You may be referred to the NHS ADHD assessment by your doctor. If you're waiting for for a long time you can ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose law which gives patients the option of choosing their healthcare provider.
A psychiatrist will conduct an interview to determine your symptoms and your impacts on different aspects of your life. They might request your childhood history and school reports.
Find a Psychiatrist
They may prescribe medication for ADHD. Talk therapy is another option. If you have health insurance, the cost of your doctor's visit should be covered. If you are unsure whether the psychiatrist you are seeking is within your network, contact your insurance provider to find out. You may also request your GP for an appointment with a psychiatric specialist or look up local services on the internet. If you don't have insurance then you can go through a private provider. But, ensure that the Psychiatrist you select is licensed and has worked with ADHD patients.
Many medical professionals have preconceived notions about what a person suffering from ADHD appears to be. This can be problematic when trying to obtain an assessment. In addition, a lot of medical professionals are not educated in adult ADHD and don't have much hands-on experience with it. You'll have to do some work to find an adult ADHD specialist who is able to assess your symptoms and diagnose you accurately.
It is essential to build an enduring relationship with your psychiatrist once you've found one. This is crucial, particularly if you plan to begin taking medication for ADHD. You should consider seeking out a new psychiatrist if you are uncomfortable with the one you currently have. While it's important to feel comfortable with a physician however, you shouldn't be forced to settle for less than what you deserve.
Your doctor can recommend you to an adult ADHD specialist for a medical assessment. This usually includes a questionnaire, as well as an exchange between you and the psychologist regarding your ADHD symptoms in various social settings. The psychologist will review your results to determine if your situation meets the criteria for adult ADHD diagnosis.
In England you have the option of choosing the place where you receive your NHS assessments. You can pick from a list of NHS providers offered by the NHS. Some of these providers offer online assessments for adults which can cut down the time it takes to wait by a significant amount.
Ask your GP
If you have a GP who is knowledgeable of ADHD, they may be willing to refer you to the NHS for a diagnosis. In the UK this would involve a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist (not nurses) which will include questionnaires regarding ADHD symptoms as well as your medical history and your family mental health history. Neuropsychological tests can also be conducted in addition to the interview. This will give you an accurate picture of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as comorbid conditions, that might influence your ADHD symptoms.
Your GP can also help by writing a letter explaining that you wish to be referred to an assessment under Right to Choose. You can download the template from ADHD UK to print off and give to your GP. If they are refusing for any reason, it could be worth changing your GP. This is especially applicable if you are planning to apply for an Shared Care Agreement in the future.
If your GP accepts to refer you, then you'll need to wait a few days prior to meeting with the specialist. The preparation for the interview is crucial since it will concentrate on your ADHD symptoms and how they impact your life at present. You will be asked to provide examples and to talk about how you have been functioning in various areas of your life.
After a formal diagnosis the doctor will offer you treatment options. These may include talk therapy, behavioural interventions and prescription drugs. You will receive advice on how to manage ADHD and an assessment that will include recommendations for continuing treatment. If you are a university student Your doctor may suggest a shared-care arrangement with your GP in order to prescribe medication for you.
There are many professionals in the UK who don't know much about ADHD. This includes doctors and nurses, as well as psychologists. This makes getting a diagnosis and accessing treatment difficult. You might be told that you don't require treatment because you are not hyperactive. Also, adults don't get treated. Children are said to develop ADHD. It can be challenging to find a professional who will listen and understand your situation.
Right to pick
If you live in England and your GP agrees to refer you to an ADHD assessment, you have a legal right to select the provider you want to refer you to. This is referred to as the 'Right to Choose'. The only condition is that the provider has an NHS Standard Contract with your CCG or NHS England for the required service. It is recommended to also find out the waiting times for the provider prior to contacting them. You can do this by contacting directly or asking your GP for more details.
It is worth noting that GPs are general practitioners, and therefore are not experts in diagnosing mental health problems, including adult ADHD. So, you might have to convince your GP that you should be referred to an expert for an ADHD assessment. If you are unable do this, the charity ADHD UK has a letter that you can download and print to give your GP. This includes quotes taken from the NICE 87 guidelines which state that a GP can't refuse to diagnose ADHD, and that only a doctor can make the diagnosis.
Ask your GP what the current waiting time for an appointment is for an ADHD assessment. If they aren't enough you may exercise your Right to Choice and choose a different GP.
If you are undergoing an ADHD assessment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to attend an interview. The interview will typically be conducted by a psychiatrist or specialist nurse. The interview will be focused on your experience with ADHD and how it has affected your life. The interview will also look at your current symptoms. You must prepare ahead for this interview and bring a family member to help you.
You should also ask your GP to look into the options for medication for you. They may not want to prescribe stimulants, however they should be reminded there are non-stimulant drugs that can help manage ADHD symptoms. how to get an adhd diagnosis uk include the methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dexamphetamine and Atomoxetine (Strateva). In addition, you can also try cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy for adults suffering from ADHD.
Private Assessment
You can have a private assessment when you don't wish to wait for the NHS or when your GP has preconceived beliefs about what ADHD is (this is a problem that is growing, especially for women or people of color, as well as women born to females). The primary provider of the assessments is Psychiatry-UK, they have a great guide for making this request on their website, which includes templates for forms you can give to your GP. They also have an extensive list of providers available on their website and most of them offer online diagnosis as well as in person.
A private assessment usually takes slightly longer than a normal psychiatric appointment and will include an in-depth interview with a psychiatrist. The session will cover different aspects of your life, and how your symptoms affect your present functioning. They will also look at your symptoms in different contexts and settings. It is often helpful if you have family members or a acquaintance to give feedback. The psychiatrist will review their findings and issue an assessment.
They will let you know if they believe that you meet the ADHD criteria or if a different condition best explains your symptoms (traits). If they don't think you're in the right category, they will explain why, and you can ask for an additional referral.
After receiving the diagnosis, it's up to you if you decide to take medication or not. You will have to discuss this with your GP and you might be able to obtain an agreement on shared care for medication through your GP and this can save you money in the long term.
You should not rely solely on the internet for an ADHD diagnosis or any other self-diagnosis tools as they could be erroneous. It is recommended to get a qualified and impartial assessment to receive the best possible outcome. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether or not you are willing to accept medications, other assistance may be available. If you are a student at a university, for example, you can request an assessment. They can provide you with guidance on adjustments that are reasonable, and Disabled Student's Allowance.